Offset Bitcoin is an open, collaborative project with a single mission: to neutralize and reverse the negative environmental impact of the Bitcoin network.

Initially, this is to be accomplished by offsetting (i.e. counteracting) the network’s annual carbon (CO₂) emissions through donations to the world’s most effective organization(s) working on climate change mitigation.

Ultimately, the goal is to lock in a far greater amount of CO₂ than the amount released by the Bitcoin network, so that its overall impact shifts from negative to positive. It is our hope that Bitcoin will one day become a sustainable and climate-saving network.

The Bitcoin network currently has an estimated annual carbon footprint of approximately 27,000 kt (kilotons of CO₂). The most cost-effective climate change charity can protect one acre (0.004 km²) of rainforest for approximately $85, which locks in 270 tons of CO₂. Therefore, offsetting the network’s annual output of 27,000,000 tons would require 27,000,000 / 270 = 100,000 acres (405 km²) of protected rainforest. This would cost 100,000 * $85 = $8.5 million

Here are a few statistics* that demonstrate why this goal is absolutely attainable:

*Please note that the numbers provided above are estimates and subject to change based on market fluctuations and further research.

Step 1: Offset the Bitcoin network through donations to the world’s most effective organization(s) working on climate change mitigation.

To ensure that the Offset Bitcoin project has the greatest possible impact, it is important that all donations go directly to the most effective climate change organizations. Thanks to Effective Altruism, a research field that uses high-quality evidence and careful reasoning to determine the most effective ways to do good, the most effective climate change organization has already been identified. That organization is Cool Earth.

Cool Earth is a non-profit organization that works alongside rainforest communities to combat deforestation and climate change, protect ecosystems, and provide employment for local people.

“We considered more than one hundred organizations that claim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with donations and tried to figure out which ones most cost-effectively prevent the release of one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent. The charity we ultimately decided was best is called Cool Earth.”

“Helping Cool Earth to halt tropical deforestation makes a real difference. Perhaps the biggest difference we will make in our whole lives.”

— Sir David Attenborough

Broadcaster, Writer, and Naturalist known for his innovative educational television programs such as the BBC’s Planet Earth and Life series

At this time, Cool Earth does not accept cryptocurrency donations. We are currently in the process of scheduling a meeting with Cool Earth, so that we can convince them to start doing so. We expect this initial meeting to take place within the next two weeks.Cool Earth has decided to start accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency donations! See the March 22, 2018 update for more details.

Step 2: Devise and foster other initiatives that help turn Bitcoin into a sustainable and climate-saving network.

This step represents a long-term, multifaceted process that will require a lot of community input and collaboration, as well as input from experts in various disciplines. We will particularly require insights into the areas of climate change mitigation, energy production and consumption, decentralized network infrastructures, and decentralized application development. Eventually, we hope to be able to put together a global think tank that can establish a clear path as we move forward in our endeavor. If you believe you know someone who could help make Offset Bitcoin a success, please do share this project with them.

Now that Cool Earth has decided to accept crypto donations (see the March 22, 2018 update), it’s time to start promoting Offset Bitcoin on a much larger scale. Cool Earth has also decided to actively endorse the project and promote it within its existing donor network (see the May 01, 2018 update) and, in the coming months, we will start forming partnerships with other effective environmental organizations. Whether we can form additional partnerships or not, we will need all the help we can get to promote the project throughout the crypto space. Please have a look at the various ways in which you can help:

1. Share your thoughts, skills, resources, contacts (or anything that you think may be beneficial to this project)

We would like to preemptively extend our sincere gratitude to everyone’s insights, donations, and other contributions. We believe that Bitcoin was created for the betterment of humanity and, by extension, the protection of our natural habitat and resources. With this incredible invention, we can finally take environmental protection back into our own hands. Let us act now, together.

May 01, 2018

Cool Earth has published a brand new crypto donation section on their website. It can be found here:

BREAKING NEWS:Cool Earth has decided to officially endorse the Offset Bitcoin project! This first official partnership is a huge step forward and marks the beginning of the Offset Bitcoin network, which will soon include other effective environmental organizations.

March 28, 2018

Good news! Cool Earth will be setting up its very first wallets today.

March 26, 2018

We had another very successful meeting with Cool Earth today and made some excellent progress. After first reviewing current legislation on cryptocurrency donations within the UK (which we know is favorable), Cool Earth intends to start accepting Bitcoin (and other cryptocurrency donations) as soon as possible. The organization has again shown strong interest in the Offset Bitcoin project and will decide on the extent of its direct involvement during their next general meeting.

March 26, 2018

A second meeting with Cool Earth has been scheduled on Monday the 26th of March at 3:30 PM (GMT).

We are very excited to announce that the initial meeting with Cool Earth was a huge success! Cool Earth has decided to start accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency donations, making it the first major climate change charity to do so and, importantly, the most effective one. Furthermore, the organization’s director and fundraising officer have shown strong interest in the Offset Bitcoin project. A secondary meeting will be scheduled soon.

March 21, 2018

An initial meeting with Cool Earth has been scheduled on Thursday the 22nd of March at 2 PM (GMT).

As mentioned above, Cool Earth was identified as the most effective climate change charity through careful analysis conducted by experts in the field of philanthropy. Click here to read the report published by the Effective Altruism organization Giving What We Can.

Disclaimer:

We are not employed or financially compensated by any of the organizations that we establish partnerships with. We are independently trying to raise funds for effective climate change mitigation charities. As explained above, all of the funds we intend to raise will go directly to those organizations. Those who contribute to the Offset Bitcoin project do so on a voluntary basis. None of the contributors will receive any financial compensation for their efforts.